Pipeline Personnel Qualification ASME B31Q Update Qualifications B31Q... · ASME B31Q Project Team formed to develop a technically sound, holistic, consensus standard for the qualification

Pipeline Personnel Qualification

ASME B31Q Update

Presented by:

Mike Gruenberg

Southwest Gas Corporation

Historical Perspective

1999: PHMSA published Operator Qualification (OQ) rule

2002: NTSB labeled Operator Qualification as “unsatisfactory”

2003: PHMSA issued 13 areas they considered as gaps in the rule

2003: Four public meetings held to address the 13 issues

2003: ASME B31Q Project Team formed to develop a technically sound, holistic, consensus standard for the qualification of pipeline personnel

2005: PHMSA amended OQ rule to address training, on-the-job performance and reporting significant plan changes

2006: ASME published the first edition of B31Q

2010: ASME published the second edition of B31Q

Underlying Principles of ASME B31Q

Scope covers tasks that impact the safety or integrity of the pipeline

Technically based

Prescriptive and Performance options – Performance options should have higher

expectations on processes

– Limited number of simple processes for each technical issue with freedom to develop operator’s own methods

Underlying Principles of ASME B31Q

Clear – should be clear and concise

Durable – adequate for multiple cycles

Complete – answers all known technical issues

Sound – technically sound foundation

Use existing rule where practical

Not a regulatory document

ASME B31Q Benefits

Standardized task list

Standardized requalification frequencies

Identifies key qualification components

Allows for portability

Rationales are embedded in document

Accepted by PHMSA

Reduction in future changes to OQ rule

Work-in-Progress from 2006 Standard

Editorial refinement

Portability

Jobs vs. Tasks

Qualification exemptions

New construction

New tasks

Expanded task criteria

Integrated Task List Examples

Task 1231 Inside Gas leak Detection L G D Difficulty Importance Interval Method Span of Control

X X 3 5 3 YRS. Initial/Sub: P&W/O

1:1

Task Guidance:

This task includes the investigation of reported or discovered leaks of operator’s lines inside a building in relation to emergency response. This also includes initiation of precautionary actions (make safe). Repairing and proving the integrity of customer piping and lighting customer utilization equipment are not included.

1) Identify requirements

2) Perform test equipment check

3) Perform leakage investigation

4) Initiate precautionary actions

5) Recognize and react to AOCs

6) If required, complete documentation

Additional Guidance:

Identify requirements:

– Leak investigation procedures

Select the appropriate leak investigation equipment– Combustible gas indicator

– Laser Methane detector

– Flame Ionization

– Infrared

– Soap

Field start up of equipment– Check filters, probes, fuel supply, batteries, etc.

– Operational check as required by manufacturer

– Periodic calibration check

Additional Guidance:

Perform leak investigation

– Make customer/caller contact

– Check for the presence of a combustible gas throughout the structure

– Include areas such as: floor drains, electrical outlets, at ceiling level, and other areas where gas could accumulate

Initiate precautionary actions– Eliminate sources of ignition

– Evacuate the structure

– Implement emergency response actions

– Continue to monitor

Recognize and react to AOCs

If required, complete documentation

Integrated Task List Components

Task 1291 Locate Underground Pipelines L G D Difficulty Importance Interval Method Span of Control

X X X 3 3 3 YRS. P&W/O 1:1

Task Guidance:

This task includes locating underground pipelines utilizing maps, records, and locating equipment. It also includes placing temporary markers or markings.

1) Identify requirements

2) Select method for locating

3) Perform test equipment check

4) Visually inspect locate area

5) Locate pipelines and place temporary marker(s)

6) Recognize & react to AOCs

7) If required, complete documentation

Additional Guidance:

Identify requirements:

– Line Locate Procedures

– One-call ticket

Select the method for locating– Direct connection

– Indirect connection

– Documentation

Perform test equipment check (if applicable)– Split box

– Single frequency

– Multi frequency

– Ground penetrating radar

– Acoustic

Additional Guidance:

Visually inspect locate area

– Identification of the locate area (white lines)

– Pipeline markers

– Pipeline facilities (valve box, meter sets, regulator stations, etc.)

– Evidence of excavations

– Evidence of other utilities

– Previous locate marks (paint, whiskers, flags, etc. )

Locate Pipeline

Validate/compare physical locate to existing documentation– Maps

– Service cards

– As-builts

– Construction drawings

Additional Guidance:

Pothole/expose facility if documentation and physical locate do not match

Place temporary markers on successfully located facility– Paint

– Flags/chasers/whiskers

– Stakes

If required, complete documentation– Create work order to correct errors in facility location documentation

New Covered TasksUnder Consideration

Operations and maintenance of auxiliary equipment– Dehydrators

– Separators

– Heaters

– Coolers

Other Non Task Related Items Under Consideration

New technology

Long-term degradation of physical abilities

New appendix for interpretations

PHMSA Perspective

B31Q addresses the OQ non-compliance issues found to date.

PHMSA has publicly stated –” If you meet ASME B31Q, you will meet the regulation.”

Standards vs. RegulationsKeeping Things in Perspective

International standards

No jurisdictional bounds

Regulators can adopt all or part of a standard

Ways to Participate

Comments to secretary

Work through members

Attend meetings

Upcoming meetings– Dallas, March 24-25, 2009

– Denver, August 2009

Web site: www.asme.org– Search on B31Q Committee

Summary

Value of current standard

More work to be done

Your participation is welcome

Using the standard now and in the future

Questions

Contact Information

ASME:

– http://www.asme.org/

Mike Gruenberg

– [email protected]

– (702) 668-6401